Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-15
PETERSBURG.
COAL AoBsERrss-fHx NORFOLK AND
WESTERN RArLRoAp THE
sU4FERERs,
Detectives ~ Work and Arrests Made -Iss.
ported Arrest Of en- Escaped
Murderer.
Uorrsspondepce Of the Richmond plspatch.1
PKrxRsnuna. Va. Dec. l4, Iss7.


PxrxRspuRo, Va, Dec. IA, 1887.
three negroes we're arrested and
lodged in jail here to-day charged with
robbing the trains OF the Norfolk and
Western Railroad Company OF coal. The
company has lost heavily by these rob-
berries, which seem to have been syste-
mstically planned all along the linoof the
road, especially east OF Lynchburg. In
some instances cars have been roboed OF
from one half TO atom OF coal. The rob-
berries became 90 serious that the COM
pany decided 10 take steps to. stop them
and to arrest the offenders. II has re-
Gently been ascertained that much of this
coal has been thrown from tho cars at q
point one or two miles west of this city,
whence it was removed by persons in
collision with the train-hands. A spe-
cial detective was brought here from
Philadelphia to work up the case, and
to-day three negroes were arrested by
him, with evidence deemed as positive
against them. IT is expected that many
more arrests will follow on this end OF
the line.
Professor w. II. Smith. OF the Virginia
Normal College. who was recently or
dered to leave the city by mob Of his
colored fellow-citizens, remains undis-
turbed OF his home. The five days gra-
ciously allowed to him in which to make
his preparations to depart expire with to-
day. II is hardly probable that he will
be disturbed, as those who threatened
him are known, and they know, also,
that be is prepared TO give them warm
reception should they visit his house with
violent intentions
The sheriff OF Greenville county pass
ed through this city last evening en-
route to New York to take into custody
one Henry Moore, negro, who is un
der sentence OF death in Greenville for
the murder OF Littleton Stewart COLOR
ed). Moore, or n person answering his
description, has been arrested in New
York. The crime OF which Moore was
convicted and for which he was SEN
fenced to be hung, was committed
nearly two years ago. He escaped from
Jail by burning hole in the building.
III the man in question turns out to be
the murderer Moore, he will doubtless
be sent to the Jail in Petersburg for safe
keeping. He will have to be resentenced,
and Greenville county wilt then witness
two hsngings within a short period. Ran
dali Watson (colored) will be hanged on
the 9th of January for the murder of Joe
Robinson.
The tobacco receipts are almost I'M
precedented. The warehouses are packed
every day with piles OF the weed, and it
is almost impossible TO get through with
the sales vt each days receipts.
Royal Owen, who has been confined
in the jail OF Chesterfield county for
several months past awaiting new trial
for felony, was arraigned second time
yesterday, and the jury failed TO agree
on verdict. The case was therefore
continued until tho next term. On the
first trial the jury brought in a verdict
OF three years in the penitentiary. Judge
Clopton allowed bail after the second
trial in tho sum OF 81, 500, which has not
yet been given. The prisoners counsel
are hopeful OF getting him free on the
third trial.
The Circuit Court Of this city will try
none OF the important railroad cases on
its docket at the present regular term,
having postponed them until future
date. ROBIN ADAIR.